Page 35 of More than a Companion

“I require another,” she told the man, who quickly obliged her. Slipping the ribbon over her wrist, Honora turned back to make her way to her aunt, only to spy Lord Crampton bowing towards the Duke of Strathaven. She stopped, suddenly unable to remove her eyes from him. Lady Charlotte was to his left, her eyes fixed to the man whilst Lord Crampton, it seemed, was now taken up in conversation with the Duke himself. Honora’s heart let out a pained cry, but she did not let it express itself on her features. Lady Charlotte was already acquainted with Lord Crampton and, given that she owed him a great debt, it was quite right that she should fawn over him so. Tightening her jaw, Honora made to turn away, made to force her eyes away from him, only to see him glance down at his hand and to then realize that he still held her dance card.

Her heart stopped. Would he acknowledge it? Would he be aware of what he had done, and make an effort to depart from the Duke to approach her again? She did not have to wait for long. Lord Crampton turned the card over in his hand, lifted his head, smiled at Lady Charlotte, and then slipped the card into his pocket.

Honora dropped her head.

Foolishness,she told herself sternly, trying to fight against the pain which forced itself through her frame with a renewed determination.Why must you be so foolish? Lord Crampton means nothing to you other than an acquaintance! Not long ago, you thought him the most dislikeable gentleman in all of England! You were unwise to trust him and utterly idiotic to allow your heart to be so softened.

“But I still do not think him so dislikeable now,” she admitted to herself softly, lifting her head and taking a moment so that the heat in her cheeks would dissipate a little. “Heischanged.”

It was a small change, certainly, but there was so much potential that he would change still further. After all, he had been willing to listen to what she had to say and had not shot out a harsh rebuttal. In fact, he had been the one who hadaskedto hear what she had to say – and Honora knew she had not held back the truth. Biting her lip, she shook her head and, taking in a deep breath, began to walk forward as she attempted to compose herself. There was a little jealousy there and Honora reprimanded herself for feeling such a thing. To be envious of Lady Charlotte’s attention to Lord Crampton, as well as seeing how he responded to her, was nothing but foolishness. There was only a small friendship – if she could call it that - between herself and Lord Crampton which meant, therefore, she had no reason to feel any sort of jealousy.

“Ah, there you are, my dear.”

Honora looked at her aunt in surprise, a little taken aback by the sympathy in her voice and the gentle way she referred to her.

“I am sorry if I was a little tardy.”

“I do hope you are not too discomposed?”

“Discomposed?” Honora repeated, forcing a smile that she did not really feel. “I am quite all right, aunt.”

“Lord Crampton wasveryrude,” her aunt replied, shaking her head, and then sending a hard look towards Lord Crampton’s back, as though he would be able to feel it. “Lady Charlotte was also most improper. She may well be the daughter of a Duke and I understand that most gentlemen would be distracted by such a lady, but that does not mean that she ought to have behaved so.”

Honora gave her a sad smile, whilst still being a little astonished at her aunt’s upset on her behalf.

“I agree, aunt,” she murmured, unable to help a glance over her shoulder towards Lord Crampton. Why was it thathewas the only one she wanted to dance with, when so many other gentlemen were present? Why did her heart still pain her so? Frustrated with her own swirling emotions, Honora lifted her chin and set her shoulders. She wasnotgoing to spend the entire evening thinking about Lord Crampton. No, she would enjoy herself regardless and prove to herself that she did not need Lord Crampton’s help to achieve her one and only aim for this evening.

“Miss Gregory?”

Looking into the face of a gentleman she did not immediately recognize, Honora tried to smile, throwing back all thought of Lord Crampton.

“Yes?”

“Lord Venables,” he said, putting one hand to his heart. “Forgive me, I know we have not been properly introduced, but given all that Lord Crampton has said of you, I feel as though we are acquainted already!”

Warmth washed through Honora for a moment, wondering just what it was that Lord Crampton had said of her, certain that not all of it would be positive.

“He thinks very highly of you, Miss Gregory,” Lord Venables continued, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking. “I think that you have come to mean a great deal to him – and that, unfortunately, has set him off balance!” He chuckled, then shook his head. “I am afraid I have spoken with too much openness, Miss Gregory. Forgive me. I came to greet you in the hope that I might ask you for a dance this evening. I have heard that you are not to be considered your aunt’s companion for this ball and, thus, thought it best to make sure I had the opportunity to step out with you.”

Honora’s throat constricted and for some moments, she was not able to either move or speak. The relief that poured through her was all-encompassing, making her sway for just a moment as she dropped her gaze to her new dance card, managing to slip it from her wrist with trembling fingers.

I will be able to succeed this evening,she told herself, as Lord Venables thanked her.Lord Crampton may not have done as he promised, but I will not fail. Icannotfail.

“I am certain the entire room will be watching as I lead you out to dance, Miss Gregory,” Lord Venables murmured, as he looked over the dances on the card. “You will be a hidden beauty finally revealed and I shall have the great honor of being the gentleman to dance with you.”

Honora expected to feel the same heat in her cheeks which came when Lord Crampton had complimented her, but it did not instantly appear. Oddly, as she watched Lord Venables take not one but two dances, Honora realized that, aside from relief, she felt no anticipation, no excitement, and not even the smallest flicker of delight. As she accepted back her dance card Honora realized that she might, unfortunately, have to consider the fact that Lord Crampton was becoming dearer to her than she had ever expected.

And that thought frightened her more than she could say.

Chapter Eleven

“How very good to see you again, Lord Crampton.”

Robert, who had been feeling a mixture of both nervousness and excitement ever since Lady Charlotte had appeared beside him, bowed quickly and then turned to bow towards the Duchess also.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” he replied, repeating himself as he greeted the Duchess. “I am delighted to be in company with you again.”

“Of course.” The Duke of Strathaven smiled indulgently, as though he had expected nothing less from Robert. “We were sorry that you were taken ill previously, else we would have come to speak with you then.”

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